These days, she only has a few boxes of Girl Scout Cookies in her den.

She used to sell the cookies -- back when shortbread was the only kind and boxes cost about 50 cents.

Then, she trained Scouts how to sell them -- back before troops took orders.

They simply got boxes and sold them, Mummert said. Troops used the money to fund activities and trips.

But when Mummert was young, there were few activities for girls in Dover, her hometown.

She heard about Girl Scouts, but didn't know much about it.

Phyllis Mummert of Dover holds a Girl Scout leader uniform from the 1950s, left, and her first Girl Scout uniform from the 1940s, right. Mummert has kept many of her old uniforms and collected original and copies of other uniforms. One year, Mummert said, she ordered a form and sewed her own uniform. The first leader uniforms that featured pants were introduced in the early 1970s, she said. (DAILY RECORD / SUNDAY NEWS -- CHRIS DUNN)

The first Girl Scout troop, designed to get girls out of the house and involved in community service and nature, assembled March 12, 1912, in Georgia.

The organization, which now boasts 50 million alumnae in the U.S., celebrates its centennial Monday.

In 1941, the girls in Dover were buzzing about a new local chapter of Girl Scouts -- Troop 1. The initiation fee would be 50 cents. Girls had to be 10 to join. Mummert turned 10 at the beginning of October that year, so she made the cutoff by a few weeks.

At the time, there were no Brownies, Mummert said, so 30 girls ranging from 10 to 16 attended weekly meetings in schoolrooms or the town's fire hall. Each week, they held a flag ceremony, said the pledge and ended with "Taps.

Phyllis Mummert wore this uniform when she was initiated into Dover's first Girl Scout troop in 1941. It cost 50 cents to join, said Mummert, who is now 80. (DAILY RECORD / SUNDAY NEWS -- CHRIS DUNN)

"

Everyone -- even leaders -- wore uniforms with long sleeves, on which they eventually sewed badges. Troop 1 chose yellow neckties.

"Our leader had us busy," Mummert said. Two months after Troop 1 formed, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and America entered World War II. Sugar, flour and butter were rationed, so Girls Scouts couldn't sell cookies. Instead, Mummert said, the Dover Scouts sold savings bonds and started a Victory Garden. They also formed a chorus.

In the summer, they went to camp. They sang around campfires and made a competition to see who could spit watermelon seeds the farthest.

After four years, the leader of Troop 1 joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs).

A page of a Girl Scout handbook, which dates back to 1933, was given to Phyllis Mummert of Dover. Mummert, 80, shared her Girls Scout memories as the organization approaches its centennial. On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low assembled 18 girls from in her hometown of Savannah, Ga., for the first Girl Scout meeting. (DAILY RECORD / SUNDAY NEWS -- CHRIS DUNN)

A few leaders came and went and, for a time, it seemed that the troop might disband. Mummert, who was 17 at the time, wouldn't let that happen.

"I didn't want to see it fold," she said. "I just believed in it so much."

She volunteered to lead the troop, but since she wasn't yet 18, she had to get special permission from the York-area Girl Scout Council.

She remained active in scouts after she married her husband, William, in 1950. A year later, her first daughter, Susan, came along.

"I went from the Girl Scout meeting to the hospital, had a baby, came home and had a committee member meeting at my house that night -- the day I came home from the hospital," Mummert said.

It was the same after her son, Tom, was born two years later.

Phyllis Mummert shared some of her Girl Scout memorabilia, including these manuals, dating from the 1930s to the 1950s. (DAILY RECORD / SUNDAY NEWS -- CHRIS DUNN)

She had a little more time to breathe after giving birth to another daughter, Jean, a few years later.

Mummert worked as a practical nurse at local hospitals and senior facilities. Her evenings and weekends were filled with Scout meetings and activities. It takes her a few minutes to tick off the positions she held during the decades after her children were born.

She was a troop organizer and did leader training and camp training at Camp Echo Trail in Felton. She was neighborhood chairwoman, district chairwoman and eventually was the board of directors for the regional Girl Scout Council. She oversaw camping and development programs. She attended national conventions in Texas, Colorado and Washington, D.C. She even lead singing workshops.

She was awarded the Thanks Badge, which recognizes exceptional service that benefits the entire Girl Scout movement.

But her favorite activity was family camp, a weekend in which entire families camped together.

This photo from the 1960s shows Phyllis Mummert, right, and her oldest daughter, Susan, in her Intermediate uniform. Mummert was a troop leader and ran Girls Scout camps while her children were young. Both of Mummert's daughters and her daughter-in-law were leaders. Her granddaughter is now a troop leader in Maryland. Mummert's great-granddaughter Sophia Posada, 11, is in that troop. (DAILY RECORD / SUNDAY NEWS -- CHRIS DUNN)

Mummert's daughter Susan -- now Susan Storm, 60 -- remembered going to meetings with her mom. When Storm got older, she became a Girl Scout leader and helped Mummert train other leaders and run family camp.

"It was a real bonding experience," she said.

Camp, she added, was the highlight of the year, and once involved her walking into a hornet's nest and stepping on a snake.

Jean also became a Girl Scout leader, as did Mummert's daughter-in-law and granddaughter.

After her children were grown, Mummert began to step back from Girl Scouts. She retired from nursing 15 years ago.

These days, Mummert cares for her husband and is busy with choir and the women's guild at Dover United Church of Christ.

She still occasionally gets invited to Girl Scout meetings and events. Last fall, she attended a centennial celebration held by the Maryland troop her great- granddaughter, Sophia Posada, attends.

Mummert has fond memories of the detours she took during family vacations to visits Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low's home in Georgia. There was the time that her husband had to remind her to remove her Girl Scout hat after she had climbed into bed still wearing it. And there were too many funny troop stories to recall. Little girls say and do the darndest things, she said.

Being a Scout and leader taught her how to get along with people and accept change.

Girl Scout cookies now come in many varieties. And Mummert still buys a few boxes to support her great-granddaughter's dreams.

"They said girls can do more things," she said of the Scouts. "They always told us we could do anything."

@FlipSidePA; 771-2051

More readers share their memories

Voted most outstanding

When I was in Girl Scouts, at 14 I was voted most outstanding Girl Scout of the year, which was in Windsor borough at the time. I have spent 20-some . . . years (as an) active Girl Scout. Now that I'm . . . up in age, I've gotten out. I was leader. I went through the Girl Scout troops with my granddaughters, who are now 24 and 25.

-- Connie Schwartz, 71, West York

1959 roundup

Rebecca Neiman Hickey, the first person at the left in the front row, poses with other York County Girl Scouts at Echo Trail. (SUBMITTED)

My memory is of the 1959 Girl Scout senior roundup, which was held in Colorado Springs, Colo. It was the last . . . roundup to be held due to the Vietnam War. I was also awarded the Curved Bar Award, which was the highest award that a Girl Scout could receive at the particular time.

-- Rebecca Hickey, 67, York Township

Trip to England

Dianna Morrow, 50, of Manchester Township and her daughter Kaitlyn, 17, after Kaitlyn received her Pax Lodge Pin. (SUBMITTED)

In 2000, I was asked to be co-leader of my daughter's troop at Saint Rose of Lima. She was a Brownie at the time. I've been a leader and troop coach at Saint Rose. My daughter is (now) a senior in high school, which means she's an Ambassador and is ready to . . . receive her Gold Award in March.

One of our best experiences together was when we went to England with the Girl Scouts in 2011. We went there in the summer with a group of 15 from the York area. We stayed at the Pax Lodge World Centre for the WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) and we met women from around the world (and) saw the historic streets of London . . . abbeys (and) cathedrals. We saw the changing of the guard (at Buckingham Palace). Our girls learned the way to go through the underground metro system. We saw the musical "Wicked." We went to Stonehenge, rode the London Eye and had a fantastic time. We'll never forget it.

-- Dianna Morrow, 50, Manchester Township

Old photo

I have an old picture -- I think it's dated 1925 -- of the only Girl Scout band in America.

-- Margaret Ruvolis, 87, Dover Township

Glen Rock scouts

I remember a great deal. Girl Scouts was organized in Glen Rock in 1939.

I wanted badly to join, however I was too old. I was 18. However, because of interest, they took me in as the assistant leader. We formed the first Scout troop in Glen Rock.

I have one or two things that we made there. What we made was a little box that we could use for hankies. It's now in the hands of the historical organization. I've already received a memento . . . made by the Scouts here. It's really beautiful.

-- Kathryn I. Stabler, 93, Glen Rock

Four decades of service

I currently have 41 years in Girl Scouts -- 12 as a girl in Lancaster (and) the rest as a leader. A fond memory was when I was going camping as girl, I'd always volunteer my parents to drive. My father had a station wagon. Mom would go along. Dad would haul gear. My best friend . . . went with us. When we got to camp, we always had mom clean out the latrines because we didn't like to clean them. As I grew up and my girls came along, I became a leader, and we took them to camp. I am a proud mother of two fine young ladies -- one who went and earned her Silver (Award), the other who went and earned her Gold (Award).

-- Sharon Bleacher, 54, Spring Garden Township

Male scout leader

Yes, he's a male Girl Scout leader. He's been a leader of all age levels and he has no girls in Girl Scouts.

In 1984, he was student at York County Vo. Tech (now York County School of Technology) when they built three of the cabins at the Pine Tree Unit at Camp Echo Trail. Many years later as a leader, he was able to stay in one of them while camping with one of the troops he worked with.

He's worked with several of the large events for council . . . such as Rainbow Connection and Junior carousel and the leadership weekend. Robert is currently a co-leader of a Junior troop and a Cadette Girl Scout troop, and the girls love having him there.

(My Girls Scout memories are:) Spending Halloween in a log cabin with a fireplace, waking to the smell of bacon and eggs before daylight and feeling homesick (and) going on a 10-mile hike the next morning.

-- Deb McCauslin, 60, Spring Garden Township

At York Mall

They used to have Girl Scout weekend there every year (at the former York Mall), and I can remember our Girl Scout troop dressing up as Irish colleens and our troop learning how to do the Irish jig. And not only did we do the Irish jig for Girls Scout week, but we also did it on a talk show (on the station that is now) WITF. I do remember us going up to Hershey and doing that Irish jig as a part of our Girl Scout troop.

-- Eileen Saylor, 52, Spring Garden Township

Personal growth

As a recently retired superintendent of schools, I credit my involvement in Girl Scouts -- most particularly my summers spent at camp -- as special memory builders as well as tremendous personal growth experiences. I would like to share with you the importance that attending Camp Echo Trail located in Felton meant to me over the course of 10-plus years in the late '50s and '60s.

Probably the most significant gifts that going to camp promoted were self-confidence, independence and problem solving. When I started going to camp, we had outhouses; bird baths, which is where we washed; a freezing-cold spring-fed swimming pool; lots of daddy-long legs and wood spiders; and activities that we planned, including hikes, overnights under the stars, campfires with lots of songs, cookouts (and) crafts. Learning how to rough it and enjoy the out-of-doors also gave us a great appreciation of nature and conservation.

Unique memories include packing all of our food and clothing on a one-speed bike and peddling from Echo Trail to Camp Furnace Hills in Denver, Lancaster County, and back and also to Gettysburg the following summer. As older campers, we also wrote and produced the plays "Peter Pan" and "The Wizard of Oz" for the entire camp.

In addition, we met other Scouts from all walks of life. There were Scouts that we lived with, who taught us that diversity can enrich friendship. We learned basic signing to commentate with Scouts who were deaf. As the years passed, many of us returned . . . and our friendships deepened. Camp Echo Trail opened in 1953 and several reunions have occurred over the years.

I am saddened now to know that the camp no longer has resident camping. Girls now have many opportunities to attend sports and other (special) interest camps. Although I understand that times have changed, I feel that going to Girl Scout camp gave many of us the skills that were needed to (have) success in breaking the glass ceiling in many careers and occupations.

-- Dr. Shelly Monk Reidel, 61, York Township

44 years

I was a Girl Scout for about 44 years. They were some of the most memorable years of my life. The world is at every young girl's fingertips thanks to Girl Scouts.

My most memorable leader was (my Cadette leader) Yvonne Baldwin. She is a remarkable woman who devoted her life to young girls and the Girl Scout program. I remember my first year with her. She made it clear that if we were in her troop, we needed to commit to it. So, I had to make a tough decision -- play high school basketball or remain a Girl Scout. I chose to be a Girl Scout.

(Baldwin) was an avid camper, who took me from being a non-camper to a wilderness backpacker. We made eggs on a rock, on a stick, in a pit; took baths in a stream or showered in a homemade shower; lashed tables, ladders, and chairs for our primitive camp site; cooked on an open fire in the rain; (and) hiked 90-mile trails into some of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen.

I got to share my love for Girl Scouts with my three daughters and hundreds of girls during my time as a leader. As a leader, I was able to share all the things I learned and experienced. (These are) once-in-a-lifetime memories created by the privilege of being a Girl Scout (and) being a role model for girls, who you help mold and shape into successful young women.

-- Shirley Frey, 54 Springettsbury Township

In the family

My mother was born in 1911, a year before girl scouting started. Her father was a Boy Scout leader for her brothers. But she wasn't allowed to be a Girl Scout -- he thought that it wasn't a girl thing.

Later in late 1950s, she became a Girl Scout leader of Troop 42. I started as a Brownie and earned badges and The Curved Bar (award). I stayed in scouting (until) I graduated from high school. I was an alternate for Round-Up -- a predecessor to the Wider Opportunities. Girl Scouts celebrated 50 years during my years in scouting.

My daughter Kristin got into Girl Scouts and I became a Troop Supporter and was there for all the troops she was in. She earned her Gold Award in 1994 and has been on two Wider Opportunities and three wonderful trips with her troop. One trip (was) to Juliette Low's house in Savannah, Ga. (Kristin) was a Girl Scout leader during her first year of college. Girl scouting celebrated 75 years.

Both she and I are lifetime members of Girl Scouts.

Now I have (a) granddaughter, Kayla, living in Virginia, who is working on her Bronze Award. I have promised her that if she gets her Gold Award, I will pay her lifetime membership in Girl Scouts. (I'm) hoping my little 3-year-old granddaughter, Katelyn, gets into scouting, too, and makes it to the top.

-- Kathleen Kellar, 60-plus, New Freedom

It spells S-C-O-U-T

(I've been) influenced all my life by my 11 years in Scouts -- 1944-55. It was and is one of the most meaningful times in my life.

S -- Sing-a-longs, s'mores and skits

C -- Colorado troop, camping, caper charts, character building

O -- Scout's Own, outdoor stewardship

U -- Understanding: Our troop was composed of various socio-economic/ethnic backgrounds, faiths and family units

T -- Thankful for the dedicated and adventuresome leaders

-- Kim Whiteley, 74, Manchester Township

About the series

The Remember oral history series is an ongoing feature that challenges readers to remember poignant moments in personal, local and national history. Recent topics included:

Girl Scouts' Own: A girl-planned inspirational ceremony held in the troop or at camp

Girl Scout sign: Made by raising three fingers of the right hand

Gold Award: The highest award in Girl Scouting, which recognizes leadership, efforts and community impact

Juniors: Girls in fourth and fifth grade

Leader-in-Training (LIT): A 14- to 17-year-old girl taking a Leader-in-Training course to learn about being a leader

Seniors: Girls in ninth and 10th grade

Source: www.girlscouts.org

This month in Girl Scout history

March 1933: About 16,000 people celebrate Girl Scouts' 21st birthday by seeing "The Girl Scout's Coming of Age Party" -- a dramatic pageant first presented at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and repeated in Chicago.

March 1936: The first international conference of leaders of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides with disabilities is held in London.

March 16, 1950: Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. is reincorporated under a Congressional Charter.

March 13 to 14, 1970: A Conference on Scouting for Black Girls is held in Atlanta.

March 28, 1973: A portrait of Juliette Gordon Low is presented to the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery from Girl Scouts of the USA.

March 12, 1987: The U.S. Postal Service issues a 75th Anniversary Girl Scout commemorative stamp.

March 12, 2002: In honor of Girl Scouts' 90th Anniversary, a gala is held in the nation's capital with Girl Scout alumnae, members of Congress and members of the president's cabinet.

Source: www.girlscouts.org

Another way to share memories

As part of Girl Scouts' centennial celebration, the local Girl Scout council -- Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania -- is taking on the 100 Grand Girl Scouts challenge. The goal is to connect with 100,000 Girl Scout alumnae by Dec. 31, 2012.

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania serves more than 22,000 girls in 30 Pennsylvania counties. Alumnae from those counties, including York, Adams, Lancaster, Lebanon and Dauphin, are invited to share Girl Scout stories and memories.

Log onto www.surveymonkey.com/s/100GrandGirlScouts.

To learn more about 100th anniversary events scheduled in the area, call 1-800-692-7816.

For more details about Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, visit www.gshpa.org.

Badges get an update

Girl Scouts are still building campfires and selling cookies. But now they're also earning badges in 21st-century skills like digital moviemaking and website design. For the first time in decades, the Girl Scouts of the USA has completely overhauled the system of badges that girls can earn, just in time for the organization's centennial year.

The makeover is designed to make badges more relevant to today's girls to help them have success in the digital age.

Girl Scouts can still earn longtime legacy badges that remain relevant, including "Cook," "First Aid" and "Naturalist." But now there's also a series of financial literacy badges, including "Money Manager," "Budgeting," "Financing My Future" and "Good Credit." And even the cookie-related badges have a biz-school vibe: "Meet My Customers," "Business Plan" and "Customer Loyalty."